We assessed the inequality in the distribution of dental caries and the association between indicators of socioeconomic status and caries experience in a representative sample of schoolchildren. This study followed a cross-sectional design, with a sample of 792 schoolchildren aged 12 years, representative of this age group in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Guardians answered questions on socioeconomic status and a dental examination provided information on the dental caries experience (DMF-T). Inequality in dental caries distribution was measured by the Gini coefficient and the Significant Caries Index (SiC). The assessment of association used Poisson regression models. Socioeconomic factors were associated with prevalence of dental caries for the whole sample and also for individuals with a high-caries level. Children from low-income households had the highest prevalence of dental caries. The Gini coefficient was 0.7 and the SiC Index 2.5. The percentage of caries prevalence was 39.3% (95% CI: 35.8%-42.8%) and the mean for DMF-T was 0.9 (± SD 1.5). Inequalities in the distribution of dental caries were observed and socioeconomic factors were found to be strong predictors of the prevalence of oral disease in children of this age group.

Aim: To assess dental caries prevalence in adolescents at urban and sub-urban areas of Maputo-City, Mozambique and to identify its relationship with dental fluorosis, dental plaque, nutritional status, frequency of sugar consumption and the concentration of fluoride in public water supply. Methods: Subjects (n=601) were randomly selected from five urban schools and five sub-urban schools. Clinical examinations were performed under standardised conditions by a trained examiner using DMFT index, SiC index, fluorosis index, PHP, BMI, a sugar consumption questionnaire and water supply analysis. The bivariate analysis and Pearson correlation was used (p<0.05). Results: The mean (DMFT) was 0.9 (+/- 1.65 SD). Children in urban schools showed less dental caries (0.8 +/- 1.49SD) than children in sub-urban schools (1.1 +/- 1.80SD, p=0.03). Only 8.15% had very mild to moderate fluorosis but most presented poor oral hygiene. Cases of malnutrition were found in more sub-urban schools (n = 109; 36.22%) than in urban schools (n = 66; 22.00%) (p=0.03). The frequency of sugar consumption was higher among urban children compared to suburban schools (p<0.00). The level of fluoride in water consumption in urban schools was 0.4 ppmF, above the level of fluoride in sub-urban schools...

Objectives: To measure the prevalence and severity of dental caries in adolescents of the city of Porto, Portugal, and to assess socioeconomic and behavioural covariates of dental caries experience. Methods: A sample of 700 thirteen-year-old schoolchildren was examined. Results from the dental examination were linked to anthropometric information and to data supplied by two structured questionnaires assessing nutritional factors, socio-demographic characteristics and behaviour related to health promotion. Dental caries was measured using the DMFT index, and two dichotomous outcomes, one assessing the prevalence of dental caries (DMFT>0); the other assessing the prevalence of a high level of dental caries (DMFT=4). Results: Consuming soft drinks derived from cola (irrespective of sugared or diet) two or more times per week, attending a public school, being female and having parents with low educational attainment were identified as risk factors both for having dental caries and for having a high level of dental caries. Conclusion: Caries levels were positively associated with frequency of intake of sweetened foods and drinks.; CAPES (Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel); Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT)[SFRH/BD/11114/2002]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT)[POCTI/SAU-ESP/62399/2004]; Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian

We assessed the inequality in the distribution of dental caries and the association between indicators of socioeconomic status and caries experience in a representative sample of schoolchildren. This study followed a cross-sectional design, with a sample of 792 schoolchildren aged 12 years, representative of this age group in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Guardians answered questions on socioeconomic status and a dental examination provided information on the dental caries experience (DMF-T). Inequality in dental caries distribution was measured by the Gini coefficient and the Significant Caries Index (SiC). The assessment of association used Poisson regression models. Socioeconomic factors were associated with prevalence of dental caries for the whole sample and also for individuals with a high-caries level. Children from low-income households had the highest prevalence of dental caries. The Gini coefficient was 0.7 and the SiC Index 2.5. The percentage of caries prevalence was 39.3% (95% CI: 35.8%-42.8%) and the mean for DMF-T was 0.9 (± SD 1.5). Inequalities in the distribution of dental caries were observed and socioeconomic factors were found to be strong predictors of the prevalence of oral disease in children of this age group.

Background: Over 90% of adults aged 20 years or older with permanent teeth have suffered from dental caries leading to pain, infection, or even tooth loss. Although caries prevalence has decreased over the past decade, there are still about 23% of dentate adults who have untreated carious lesions in the US. Dental caries is a complex disorder affected by both individual susceptibility and environmental factors. Approximately 35-55% of caries phenotypic variation in the permanent dentition is attributable to genes, though few specific caries genes have been identified. Therefore, we conducted the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genes affecting susceptibility to caries in adults. Methods: Five independent cohorts were included in this study, totaling more than 7000 participants. For each participant, dental caries was assessed and genetic markers (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) were genotyped or imputed across the entire genome. Due to the heterogeneity among the five cohorts regarding age, genotyping platform, quality of dental caries assessment, and study design, we first conducted genome-wide association (GWA) analyses on each of the five independent cohorts separately. We then performed three meta-analyses to combine results for: (i) the comparatively younger...

Data on the dental health of Australian school children from 1977 to 1985 have previously been reported. Significant features included a secular decline in caries experience as defined by the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth in both the deciduous dentition (dmft index) and permanent dentition (DMFT index), and a change in the distribution of caries experience within the child population in Australia, indicated by increasingly smaller percentages of children accounting for greater proportions of total disease experience. The aim of the present paper was to extend the annual reporting on caries experience in Australia up to and including 1993, and to document the change in the distribution of caries within the child population since 1977. In addition, the data are compared with dental targets for children for the year 2000 in Australia and internationally. Caries data were obtained for the years 1977-1993 for children who were patients at School Dental Services in each State and Territory of Australia. Caries experience was recorded by uncalibrated dentists and dental therapists during routine dental examinations. From 1977-89 data were weighted by State and Territory estimated resident populations. From 1989, the data were stratified according to age...

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that risk behaviours in disadvantaged groups would explain socio-economic inequality in dental caries prevalence among preschool children. Methods: Using a case-control study, children with caries experience (one or more decayed, missing or filled primary tooth surfaces) and with no caries experience were sampled with known probabilities from among five year olds attending the South Australian Dental Service (SADS). Dental caries experience of primary teeth was recorded by SADS clinicians. Social and behavioural information was collected using a questionnaire mailed to parents. Prevalence rates, prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed, taking into account sampling probabilities. Results: Questionnaires were obtained for 64.6 per cent of sampled children (n=1398) and 40.2 per cent (95% CI=37.8–42.6) of them had caries experience. Five statistically significant risk factors were identified relating to previous feeding, current oral hygiene and parent’s own oral health perceptions. The prevalence of four risk factors was greater in low-income households compared with high-income households (P≤0.01). In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age of tooth cleaning onset...

Objective To examine trends in dental caries among indigenous and non-indigenous children in an Australian territory. Basic Research Design Routinely-collected data from a random selection of 6- and 12-year-old indigenous and non-indigenous children enrolled in the Northern Territory School Dental Service from 1989–2000 were obtained. The association of indigenous status with caries prevalence (percent dmft or DMFT>0 and percent dmft>3 or DMFT>1), caries severity (mean dmft or DMFT) and treatment need (percent d/dmft or D/DMFT) was examined. Results Results were obtained for 10,687 6- and 12-year old indigenous children and 21,777 6- and 12year-old non-indigenous children from 1989–2000. Across all years, indigenous 6-year-olds had higher caries prevalence in the deciduous dentition, greater mean dmft and percent d/dmft, and indigenous 12-year-olds had greater percent D/DMFT than their non-indigenous counterparts (p<0.05). From 1996–2000 the mean dmft and percent d/dmft for indigenous 6-year-olds and mean DMFT and percent D/DMFT for indigenous 12-year-olds increased, yet remained relatively constant for their non-indigenous counterparts (p<0.05). From 1997–2000, the percent dmft>3 for 6-year-old indigenous children was more than double that of non-indigenous children...

Background: Conditions in utero and early life underlie risk for several childhood disorders. This study tested the hypothesis that the Apgar score predicted dental caries in the primary dentition. Methods: A retrospective cohort study conducted in 2003 examined associations between conditions at birth and early life with dental caries experience at five years. Dental examination data for a random sample of five-year-old South Australian children were obtained from School Dental Service electronic records. A questionnaire mailed to the parents obtained information about neonatal status at delivery (five-minute Apgar score, birthweight, plurality, gestational age) and details about birth order, weaning, and behavioural, familial and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Of the 1398 sampled children with a completed questionnaire (response rate = 64.6%), 1058 were singleton term deliveries among whom prevalence of dental caries was 40.1%. In weighted log-binomial regression analysis, children with an Apgar score of <=8 relative to a score of 9–10 had greater probability of dental caries in the primary dentition after adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioural covariates and water fluoridation concentration (adjusted PR = 1.47...

To assess prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12 year old Indians using the Dental Aesthetic Index, and to find its association with dental caries. Method: 927 schoolchildren were randomly selected and their DAI and dentition status scores were recorded as per 1997 World Health Organization criteria. Clinical exams were carried out by one trained and calibrated examiner. The Chi–square test, Z-test and Spearman’s correlation test were carried out. Results: Mean DAI score was 19.2 (sd 6.8). Differences were found between male and female DAI scores (Z≤0.05). 82% of children had DAI scores <26 with no or minor malocclusion requiring no or little treatment, 3.2 % had DAI scores 31-35 with severe malocclusion requiring highly desirable treatment and 1.8% DAI scores >35 with handicapping malocclusion requiring mandatory treatment. A mean DMFT of 1.15 (sd1.62) was recorded. Severe and handicapping malocclusions were associated with dental caries. Conclusions: The distribution of DAI scores among Indian schoolchildren differs from that reported in other populations. Positive correlation was found between severe and handicapping malocclusion with dental caries.; A. Singh, B. Purohit, P. Sequeira, S. Acharya and M. Bhat

Objective: To investigate the main dental caries life course determinants and predictors of dental caries at age 12. Methods: This study was nested in a population-based birth cohort started in 1993 in Pelotas, Brazil. A sample of 359 children was followed-up. Dental examinations and interviews were performed at 6 and at 12 years old. Dental caries (DMFT) at 12 years old was the outcome. Exploratory variables included socioeconomic and demographic variables at birth, children’s nutritional and development characteristics, primary dental caries, oral health related behaviors and dental service use at age 6 and 12. Poisson regression was used in order to provide relative risk ratio estimates. Attributable risk or etiology fraction and population attributable risk for both main early life variables were calculated. Dental caries prediction (DMFT ≥ 1) at 12 years old was tested using logistic regression analyses. Results: Children who presented height-for-age deficit at 12 months (RR 1.50 CI: 95% = 1.03–2.18), children who showed a DMFT of 1–3 and 4–19 at 6 years (RR = 2.01; CI: 95% = 1.33–3.03, and RR = 2.66; CI: 95% = 1.81–2.53, respectively) and those children aged 12 in the highest tertile of proportion of teeth experiencing gingival bleeding (RR = 1.58; CI: 95% = 1.11–2.24) presented a higher level of dental caries at age 12. Attributable risk for dental caries at age 12 were 79.1% and 74.2% for deficit in height for age at 12 months and for primary dental caries at age 6 years respectively; population attributable risk for dental caries at age 12 were 3.1% for deficit in height for age at 12 months and 64.9% for primary dental caries at age 6. The level of accuracy in predicting dental caries at age 12 by using life course socioeconomic...

BACKGROUND: It is important to evaluate concurrently the benefit for dental caries and the risk for dental fluorosis from early exposure to fluoride among children. AIM: To evaluate associations of different levels of exposure to fluoride in early childhood with dental caries and dental fluorosis experience in school children. METHODS: A Child Dental Health Survey (CDHS) was conducted among school children in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) in 2007. Trained and calibrated examination teams conducted oral epidemiologic examinations to assess caries experience as decayed, missing or filled tooth surfaces of the primary and permanent dentitions (dmfs/DMFS) and fluorosis using the Thylstrup & Fejerskov (TF) index on the maxillary central incisors only. A parental questionnaire collected information on residential histories and tap water usage to enable calculation of percentage of 3-year lifetime exposure to fluoride in water. Use of dietary fluoride supplements was also collected. Dental caries and fluorosis experience were compared among groups by levels of exposure to fluoride from water and fluoride supplements in bivariate and multivariable analysis, controlling for socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: Exposure to different fluoride sources varied in the group of 2611 children aged 8-12 years. Lower household income was significantly associated in both bivariate and multivariable analyses with the greater prevalence and severity of primary tooth caries among 8-10-year-old children and permanent tooth caries among 8-12 year old. Exposure to fluoride in water during the first 3 years of life was associated with both caries and fluorosis experience observed at age 8-12 years. Having higher percentage of 3-year lifetime exposure to fluoride in water was associated with higher prevalence of mostly mild fluorosis...

OBJECTIVE: Estimate the prevalence of dental caries based on clinical examinations and self-reports and compare differences in the prevalence and effect measures between the two methods among 18-year-olds belonging to a 1993 birth cohort in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. METHOD: Data on self-reported caries, socio-demographic aspects and oral health behaviour were collected using a questionnaire administered to adolescents aged 18 years (n = 4041). Clinical caries was evaluated (n = 1014) by a dentist who had undergone training and calibration exercises. Prevalence rates of clinical and self-reported caries, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, absolute and relative bias, and inflation factors were calculated. Prevalence ratios of dental caries were estimated for each risk factor. RESULTS: The prevalence of clinical and self-reported caries (DMFT>1) was 66.5% (95%CI: 63.6%-69.3%) and 60.3% (95%CI: 58.8%-61.8%), respectively. Self-reports underestimated the prevalence of dental caries by 9.3% in comparison to clinical evaluations. The analysis of the validity of self-reports regarding the DMFT index indicated high sensitivity (81.8%; 95%CI: 78.7%-84.7%) and specificity (78.1%; 95%CI: 73.3%-82.4%) in relation to the gold standard (clinical evaluation). Both the clinical and self-reported evaluations were associated with gender...

Introduction: healthy dietary habits are considered to
improve oral health and tooth quality. Caries treatment
comprises tooth restoration with dental composites and
sealants, almost all (> 90%) of which contain bisphenol A
(BPA). Study hypotheses were: a) breakfast and oral hygiene
habits are important factors in dental caries development;
and b) dental caries treatment with epoxy-resins
entails a risk of oral exposure to monomers migrating
from the polymeric material. We evaluated caries in the
teeth of a Spanish school population and determined the
percentage treated with dental composites.
Objective: to relate consumption of breakfast components
and oral hygiene habits to dental caries and determine
the presence of sealants/composites as potential
sources of BPA exposure.
Methods: subjects: 582 schoolchildren from Granada
city (Southern Spain) aged 7 yrs; mean (SD) of 7.55 (0.64)
yrs.
Results: caries was detected in 21.7% of their teeth.
Mean breakfast quality index (BQI) score, based on nutritional
questionnaires, was 5.18 (1.29). Breakfast with
foods rich in simple sugars representing > 5% of total
daily energy was consumed by 24% of the population
and was significantly associated with caries frequency in
binary logistic regression analysis. Biscuit consumption
was reported by 35.8% and significantly associated with
caries frequency. Breakfast intake of bakery products/
cereals and of dairy products showed a significant inverse
association with caries frequency. No significant relationship
was observed between caries and BQI score or
oral hygiene factors.
Conclusion: further research is required to elucidate
the role of diet in caries and the associated risk of exposure
to estrogenic xenobiotics such as BPA.; Introducci??n: los h??bitos alimentarios saludables influyen
sobre la salud oral. El tratamiento de la caries
comprende la restauraci??n dental con selladores y composites
dentales...

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is a multifactorial condition, prevention of which requires comprehensive understanding of both contextual and compositional determinants and their population impact. AIMS: To investigate contextual and compositional factors associated with the prevalence of dental caries in children and to estimate the population impact of those factors. METHODS: Children in one Australian state were selected through stratified random sampling selection in 2010-2011. Oral epidemiological examinations provided individual-level outcomes: prevalence of dental caries in the primary (among 5- to 8-year-olds) and permanent dentitions (9- to 14-year-olds). Socioeconomic status, oral health behaviours and practices and dietary patterns were explanatory factors at the individual-level, school-level and area-level fluoridation status. Three-level multilevel multivariable models were sequentially specified for the prevalence of dental caries to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) associated with explanatory factors, adjusting for covariates and between- and within-group variances. Population attributable fraction (PAF) was estimated as the population impact of the statistically significant explanatory factors. RESULTS: Data from 2214 5- to 8-year-olds and 3186 9- to 14-year-olds from 207 schools in 16 areas were analysed. The prevalence of dental caries in the primary and the permanent dentitions was 47.1% (43.9-50.4) and 38.8% (36.1-41.6)...

An investigation undertaken into a sample of 1,115 five-year old children attending kindergartens in the city of Córdoba (Argentina) es described. The investigation aimed at establishing the prevalence and distribution of dental caries by socioeconomic level. Research showed that the prevalence of caries had decreased 55.0% in relation to the 1973 figure, while the proportion of children with healthy teeth was 26.7% greater. The frequency and seriousness of the caries increased as the child's social position declined. At the highest socioeconomic level NES I = entrepreneurial and managerial bourgeoisie), the rates of caries were significantly lower than those at the lowest socioeconomic level (NES III = typical proletariat, non-typical proletariat and sub-proletariat) presenting dmf-t of 0.8 and 2.7, and dmf-s of 0.9 and 4.9, respectively. In NES III, the dmf-t main components were decayed and missing teeth, while in NES I filled teeth were the main components. The proportion of children with no experience of caries was 63.1% in NES I and 11.5% in NES III. Inversaly, the rate dental health was higher in NES I (8.8) than in NES III (5.1). The cost per child required for the restorative treatment in approximately two and a half times greater in NES III than in NES I. Considering the sample as a whole the expenditure required for NES III would be more than ten times higher than that required for NES I. It is concluded that...

The 2003 National Children's Oral Health Survey indicated that 35.2% of six-year-olds in KwaZulu-Natal were caries free and only 40% had received dental treatment. The aim of the present study almost ten years later was to investigate these data in six-year-old children at Health Promoting Schools in KwaZulu-Natal. METHODS: A quantitative, epidemiological explorative study was conducted on a sample of 345 Grade 1 learners attending 23 schools, selected by statistical sampling from the eleven districts of KwaZulu-Natal. The World Health Organisation DMFT Tool (1994) was used to record the data RESULTS: The caries rate of the sample was 73% (ie. 27% caries free) and the mean dmft was 3.65. The average dmft per school ranged from a high of 6.8 to a low of 1.1, both from rural districts. 94% of the learners required treatment, the majority (90%) needing preventive care. The Unmet Treatment Need (UTN) was 97% CONCLUSIONS: The number of caries free six year old children in KwaZulu-Natal has declined further compared with ten years ago. Dental caries is still a major public health problem. An effective and efficient oral health promotion programme will do much to instil simple healthy behaviours at an early age.